Kimi Antonelli wins Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid after pit stop timing hampers Lando Norris

Race start and early order

Formula 1 returned to Madrid for the first time in 45 years at the newly constructed Madring circuit for round 14 of the 2026 season. McLaren driver Lando Norris started from pole position following a qualifying lap praised by team principal Andrea Stella. On the opening lap, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen both ran wide through the initial corners to avoid contact. Both drivers surrendered positions back to Norris, who retained first place and built a lead of more than six seconds. Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton started fourth and moved into third on the first lap, but suffered a brake failure on lap seven and retired in last place.

“I hit the brake, the car started stopping and then the pedal took a step and all of a sudden the car didn't de-accelerate as fast a normal.”

Pit stop timing alters the lead

The competitive order shifted on lap 14 when Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll stopped on track, prompting race control to deploy a Virtual Safety Car. Norris had crossed the start-finish line seconds before the signal appeared and was past the pit lane entrance, preventing McLaren from calling him in immediately. Antonelli, Verstappen, and George Russell capitalized on the reduced track speeds to pit for hard tyres. McLaren brought Norris in on lap 16 after the Virtual Safety Car period had already concluded, and a seven-second stop dropped him back to fifth on track.

“I was the only one on the whole grid that didn't get the chance to do the pit stop. That's just unfortunate.”

Leclerc stint and late chase

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc assumed the race lead by staying out on hard compound tyres, running at the front for 33 laps without pitting in hopes of a safety car intervention or red flag stoppage. Antonelli followed in second place and inherited the lead once Leclerc finally pitted for fresh tyres. Verstappen pursued Antonelli in the closing stages, but the layout of the Madring track offered limited overtaking opportunities. Antonelli brushed the wall at turn seven with a few laps remaining, though Mercedes race engineer Peter Bonnington confirmed telemetry showed no damage, allowing the Italian to finish 4.3 seconds clear of Verstappen.

Championship standings and reactions

The victory marked Antonelli's eighth win in 14 rounds this season, following his win at Monza a week earlier where he became the first Italian driver to win the Italian Grand Prix since 1966. Antonelli expanded his total to 292 points, opening an 81-point advantage over teammate Russell, who finished fifth in Madrid. In the constructors' standings, Mercedes leads Ferrari by 145 points, with McLaren sitting a further 52 points back in third. Both Hamilton and Verstappen stated after the race that Antonelli is positioned to become the sport's youngest world champion and the first Italian title winner since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

“It's good to win, but it doesn't feel as good because I think Lando today deserved to win.”

George Russell81

Lewis Hamilton101

Lando Norris106

Max Verstappen147

George Russell

81 points

Lewis Hamilton

101 points

Lando Norris

106 points

Max Verstappen

147 points

Data from the article text